April 2014April 2014April 2014April 2014

MankatoMankatoMankatoMankato----Uptown OfficeUptown OfficeUptown OfficeUptown Office 1640 Adams Street P.O. Box 4399 Mankato, MN 56001

MankatoMankatoMankatoMankato----Downtown OfficeDowntown OfficeDowntown OfficeDowntown Office 100 Memorial View Court P.O. Box 4399 Mankato, MN 56001

Lobby HoursLobby HoursLobby HoursLobby Hours Monday - Friday: 9:00AM-5:00PM Saturday (Uptown): 8:00AM-12:00PM

DriveDriveDriveDrive----up Hoursup Hoursup Hoursup Hours Monday - Thursday: 7:30AM - 5:30PM Friday: 7:30AM - 6:00PM Saturday: 8:00AM-Noon

Phone NumbersPhone NumbersPhone NumbersPhone Numbers Office: (507) 387-3055 Toll Free: (800) 247-0522 Fax: (507) 387-5235 A.R.T: (507) 387-3088 A.R.T. Toll Free: (877) 886-9100 Lost/Stolen Card: (800)234-5354

EmailEmailEmailEmail loan@mnvalleyfcu.coop msa@mnvalleyfcu.coop info@mnvalleyfcu.coop

www.mnvalleyfcu.coopwww.mnvalleyfcu.coopwww.mnvalleyfcu.coopwww.mnvalleyfcu.coop

Serving Counties of: Blue EarthBlue EarthBlue EarthBlue Earth, NicolletNicolletNicolletNicollet,

and Le Sueur Le Sueur Le Sueur Le Sueur

Annual Meeting at Best Western Conference CenterAnnual Meeting at Best Western Conference CenterAnnual Meeting at Best Western Conference CenterAnnual Meeting at Best Western Conference Center April 22, 2014 at 6:00PM for Supper / 6:30 for the MeetingApril 22, 2014 at 6:00PM for Supper / 6:30 for the MeetingApril 22, 2014 at 6:00PM for Supper / 6:30 for the MeetingApril 22, 2014 at 6:00PM for Supper / 6:30 for the Meeting

Join us Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00PM for the 79th MVFCU Annual Meeting held at the Best Western Conference Center in lower North Mankato. We’ll announce the Board of Director election results and the recipients of the six $500 tuition scholarships. We’ll have plenty of door prizes, gifts, and a light dinner and beverages will be served. Our guest speaker is Paul Vogel, Director of Community Development in Mankato. Call 507-387-3055 or visit our website to RSVP.

MVFCU is making Home Owners MVFCU is making Home Owners MVFCU is making Home Owners MVFCU is making Home Owners & Home Buyers Happy!& Home Buyers Happy!& Home Buyers Happy!& Home Buyers Happy! Whether you are thinking of buying a new home, renovating the one you have, or just need to use the equity you have in your home, MVFCU has a solution for you! MVFCU offers historically low rates on first mortgages, (Conventional, VA, FHA and In-

house), refinancing, and home equity loans and lines of credit. MVFCU can help you get into a new home, fix up your old one, and offer you the flexibility you need to get things done and take care of your home. Our great service, low rates and flexible terms can’t be beat! Stop in to MVFCU today to talk to a loan officer about your options! You’ll be happy you did!

Next Shred Day Next Shred Day Next Shred Day Next Shred Day Saturday, May 10thSaturday, May 10thSaturday, May 10thSaturday, May 10th

Just in time for spring cleaning! Our next shred day is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th from 10am-12pm. The shred truck will be in the parking lot at our Adams Street location. This is a free service provided to members (no cost up to 75 lbs per member). It is a great time to get rid of old tax and other confidential documents.

With the My Mobile MVFCU app With the My Mobile MVFCU app With the My Mobile MVFCU app With the My Mobile MVFCU app you can conveniently and you can conveniently and you can conveniently and you can conveniently and securely:securely:securely:securely: • View account balances and transaction history • Transfer funds between your

MVFCU accounts • Apply to open an account • And much more! Visit your mobile app store and search for My Mobile MVFCU to download!

MEET OUR GUEST SPEAKER: PAUL VOGELMEET OUR GUEST SPEAKER: PAUL VOGELMEET OUR GUEST SPEAKER: PAUL VOGELMEET OUR GUEST SPEAKER: PAUL VOGEL Paul Vogel has served the city of Mankato and its residents since 1992. Vogel works with Mayor Pat Hentges, Community Development staff and the City Council and developers to meet and plan for Mankato’s community and economic development needs. Prior to joining the city of Mankato, Vogel worked with the Water Resources Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He began his career at the city of Mankato as an intern in 1992 and served the city’s zoning administrator, associate planner and planning administrator before being appointed to his current position. He earned his bachelor’s degree in geography earth and science geology and his master’s in geography, with an emphasis in urban geography, from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Vogel is a member of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association.

Mission StatementMission StatementMission StatementMission Statement To exceed the expectations of our “member To exceed the expectations of our “member To exceed the expectations of our “member To exceed the expectations of our “member ---- owners” and become their most valued owners” and become their most valued owners” and become their most valued owners” and become their most valued aaaannnndddd ttttrrrruuuusssstttteeeedddd ffffiiiinnnnaaaannnncccciiiiaaaallll iiiinnnnssssttttiiiittttuuuuttttiiiioooonnnn,,,, aaaallllwwwwaaaayyyyssss iiiinnnn kkkkeeeeeeeeppppiiiinnnngggg wwwwiiiitttthhhh tttthhhheeee ccccooooooooppppeeeerrrraaaattttiiiivvvveeee pppprrrriiiinnnncccciiiipppplllleeeessss....

Tell Us What You Want.Tell Us What You Want.Tell Us What You Want.Tell Us What You Want. We Listen,We Listen,We Listen,We Listen,

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Monthly Survey! Monthly Survey! Monthly Survey! Monthly Survey! We want to reward members who read our newsletter and share ideas! To be registered to win, all you have to do is:

1. Take This Survey 2.Cut It Out 1. Take This Survey 2.Cut It Out 1. Take This Survey 2.Cut It Out 1. Take This Survey 2.Cut It Out 3. Mail To MVFCU or Take It Online3. Mail To MVFCU or Take It Online3. Mail To MVFCU or Take It Online3. Mail To MVFCU or Take It Online at www.mnvalleyfcu.coop. at www.mnvalleyfcu.coop. at www.mnvalleyfcu.coop. at www.mnvalleyfcu.coop.

February Survey Results February Survey Results February Survey Results February Survey Results Congratulations to Annie W and Thomas J, the winners of the two $50 Visa Gift Cards in February!

1. How often do you call MVFCU?

Once a day Once a week When I’m supposed to get my

paycheck Once a month Rarely

2. What is the most common reason you call the MVFCU?

Check my balance See if a deposit came Make a transfer Make a loan payment Ask a specific question Check hours/see if you’re

open Questions about my online

Banking or Bill Pay Take out/Questions on loans Other

NameNameNameName

Phone NumberPhone NumberPhone NumberPhone Number

Valued member / $50 Visa Card Winner Alicia C. and Employee

Laura W.

Valued member / $50 Visa Card

Winner Nancy S. and Employee

Sam F.

Don’t Fall for the Dirty Dozen Tax ScamsDon’t Fall for the Dirty Dozen Tax ScamsDon’t Fall for the Dirty Dozen Tax ScamsDon’t Fall for the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams Every year, people fall prey to tax scams. That’s why the IRS sends a list of its annual “Dirty Dozen”. We want you to be safe and informed – and not become a victim. Taxpayers who get involved in illegal tax scams can lose their money, or face stiff penalties, interest and even criminal prosecution. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be on the lookout for these scams.

• Identity theft.Identity theft.Identity theft.Identity theft.: People using your social security number, birth date and other personal information to file taxes, apply for credit cards, etc.

• Pervasive telephone scams.: Pervasive telephone scams.: Pervasive telephone scams.: Pervasive telephone scams.: People calling claiming to be the IRS or other financial institution in order to gain your personal information.

• Phishing.Phishing.Phishing.Phishing. Un-solicited emails or fake websites that appear legitimate that lure you to into giving your personal information.

• False promises of “free money” from inflated refunds.: False promises of “free money” from inflated refunds.: False promises of “free money” from inflated refunds.: False promises of “free money” from inflated refunds.: Fake tax preparers luring you in with promises of large refunds could end up costing you money.

• Return preparer fraud.: Return preparer fraud.: Return preparer fraud.: Return preparer fraud.: People claiming to be professional tax preparers lure you in and gather your personal information.

• Hiding income offshore.Hiding income offshore.Hiding income offshore.Hiding income offshore. : Money kept in offshore accounts that doesn’t get reported.

• Impersonation of charitable organizations.: Impersonation of charitable organizations.: Impersonation of charitable organizations.: Impersonation of charitable organizations.: People posing as charities or non-profit organizations in hopes that you will donate to them, then take your money, and sometimes personal information.

• False income, expenses or exemptions.False income, expenses or exemptions.False income, expenses or exemptions.False income, expenses or exemptions.:Claiming/reporting income you didn’t earn or expenses you didn’t, including false claims for Earned Income Tax Credit.

• Frivolous arguments: Frivolous arguments: Frivolous arguments: Frivolous arguments: Making frivolous and outrageous claims in order to avoid paying owed taxes.

• Falsely claiming zero wages or using false Form 1099: Falsely claiming zero wages or using false Form 1099: Falsely claiming zero wages or using false Form 1099: Falsely claiming zero wages or using false Form 1099: Using improper ways to lower your taxable income.

• Abusive tax structures: Abusive tax structures: Abusive tax structures: Abusive tax structures: Tax schemes often involving sham businesses or other ways of evading taxes.

• Misuse of trusts.: Misuse of trusts.: Misuse of trusts.: Misuse of trusts.: Often used to hide money to avoid paying taxes on it.

Tax scams can take many forms beyond the “Dirty Dozen”. The best defense is to remain vigilant. Get more information on these and other tax scams and how to protect yourself at IRS.gov.

New Member Referral ProgramNew Member Referral ProgramNew Member Referral ProgramNew Member Referral Program If you refer a friend, family member, or co-worker to MVFCU we’ll give you *$25, and them *$10. Existing member ($25)_____________________________Member #_______Existing member ($25)_____________________________Member #_______Existing member ($25)_____________________________Member #_______Existing member ($25)_____________________________Member #_______ New Member ($10)_______________________________Member #_______New Member ($10)_______________________________Member #_______New Member ($10)_______________________________Member #_______New Member ($10)_______________________________Member #_______ *MVFCU will deposit $25 (to an existing member) and $10 (to the new member) into your share savings account (S1) after eligibility requirements are met.

Terms: Terms: Terms: Terms: Existing Member must be directly responsible for a friend or family member signing up as a new member of MVFCU and taking out a loan of $2500 or more or making a deposit of at least $2500. If your referral is between the ages of 15 and 22 they must only take out a loan of $150 or deposit $150 and cannot abandon the account before 3 months.

Membership Eligibility: Membership Eligibility: Membership Eligibility: Membership Eligibility: Live, work, worship or attend school in Blue Earth, Nicollet or Le Sueur Counties or any business or association located within or immediate family members wherever they live, or work.

MVFCU Referral ProgramsMVFCU Referral ProgramsMVFCU Referral ProgramsMVFCU Referral Programs

PHISHING PHONE SCAMPHISHING PHONE SCAMPHISHING PHONE SCAMPHISHING PHONE SCAM MVFCU has been receiving phone calls from members who have received calls from Bremer Bank or other financial institu-tions stating that their debit or credit card may be compromised. The caller (usually an automated system) will then ask for your card number, PIN number, name, address and other personal information. This call is most likely not from any financial. If you If you If you If you receive one of these phone calls, do not give them any informa-receive one of these phone calls, do not give them any informa-receive one of these phone calls, do not give them any informa-receive one of these phone calls, do not give them any informa-tion. tion. tion. tion. If you are concerned about fraud on your account, call the credit union at 507-387-3055 or call the number on the back of your debit or credit card. We can verify whether this was a legitimate call and if there is any fraud concern on your account. Do not give personal information to phone numbers you don’t recognize as from your financial.